The incentive grant program offers taxable incentive grants of up to $5,000 per eligible year, to a maximum of $15,000, paid over a three-year period to audiologists, chiropodists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech-language pathologists who establish practice in Northern Ontario and accept full-time positions, fully-funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), and approved by the Underserviced Area Program (UAP).

Northern Ontario is defined as the territorial districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timiskaming.

To attract audiologists, chiropodists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech-language pathologists to fill full-time vacancies in MOHLTC fully-funded positions in Northern Ontario.

In order to be eligible for an incentive grant, the UAP must approve the application before the applicant establishes his/her practice. The rehabilitation professional may choose to establish his/her practice in any community listed on the UAP's current List of Areas Designated as Underserviced (LADAU) for Rehabilitation Professionals. The applicant must meet all of the following requirements :

1. Be registered with the applicable College; temporary licence does not qualify.
2. Hold Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status.
3. Have accepted a full-time offer of employment in a MOHLTC fully-funded position in Northern Ontario that is reflected on the current LADAU.
4. Have not previously received an incentive grant through this program.

In order to be eligible for an incentive grant, the UAP must approve the application before the applicant commences his/her practice. To apply for an incentive grant, the following documents and information are required :

1. A completed Application for Rehabilitation Incentive Grant form (available from the UAP), or by visiting our website at : http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/uap/forms_mn.html
2. A copy of an offer of full-time employment for an eligible position.
3. A copy of your acceptance of the full-time offer of employment.
4. A copy of your Certificate of Registration.

1. The rehabilitation professional submits a completed application form, copy of an offer of full-time employment for an eligible position, a signed copy of acceptance of the offer, confirmation of the start date and a copy of their Certificate of Registration to UAP.
2. The applicant is sent a letter from UAP confirming his/her eligibility to receive an incentive grant. The rehabilitation professional is also sent two copies of Incentive Grant Agreement forms for signature, along with a Confirmation of Payment Instruction form.
3. The rehabilitation professional signs both agreement forms, has his/her supervisor sign both agreement forms, completes the Confirmation of Payment Instruction form and returns all documents, along with a blank voided cheque where deposits will be made, to the UAP.
4. UAP official signs the agreement forms. One copy is returned to the rehabilitation professional for his/her records.
5. The annual grant amount is divided into four equal payments. The first payment is deposited into the rehabilitation professional's bank account approximately two months after the signed incentive grant agreement forms are received by the UAP.
6. Subsequent deposits are made at three-month intervals, at the beginning of each quarter.
7. Towards the end of each of the first two years of incentive grant participation, UAP will contact the rehabilitation professional to determine whether he/she intends to renew the grant for the subsequent year.

Incentive grants may be renewed annually during their term, subject to the consent of all parties concerned (the rehabilitation professional, the employer and the MOHLTC).

It takes at least four weeks to process an application, once an applicant has provided all of the required documentation. Rehabilitation professionals interested in the program are encouraged to provide as much lead time as possible to ensure the application is complete when they establish their practice in an underserviced area.